My Alter Ego’s Path to Greatness Chapter 106

#106

Pumpkin that rolled in (1)

“…So what do we do now?”

“Hmm…”

The Northern Mountains party, including Harley, was currently hiding in an underground crypt and paying close attention to the vibrations felt from above.

“The momentum I can clearly feel is terrifying. “If I had been a little late, I would have been in big trouble.”

Knight Robin gulped as he assessed the monster’s strength.

If there wasn’t a barrier blocking all traces inside, I wouldn’t have been able to express my impressions so calmly.

“Ugh— I can’t even use it a few times because of the number limit. This expedition will cause a lot of damage! “It’s better than dying, though.”

Zaonic continued to grumble, but diligently trimmed the inside of the crypt and expanded it.

There was no way a magic tool that could deploy a barrier that could deceive the sensitive senses of a monster so quickly could not have been a common item.

Still, thanks to him, he was able to survive until now, and this time, their party was able to escape the crisis safely, so it can be said that the price was already well worth it.

“…It weighs a lot. Plus, it’s bipedal. “It looks similar to an ogre, but it seems to be much larger, so I’m not sure.”

“Are you… eating from the corpses above? In fact, it would be difficult to eat a certain amount of food to maintain that size.”

“It seems like we have prepared a grand table for you. “I’m glad Zaonic buried Bordeaux quickly.”

The guide and the rangers were analyzing the creature with their ears pressed against the earthen wall side by side.

Although I avoided the fight, it was absolutely necessary to accurately identify the opponent.

And Harley—.

‘That pickaxe…’

I wasn’t even paying attention to the monster that was already wandering above.

Even now, Zaonic is only staring with sparkling eyes at the extraordinary pickaxe in his hand, silently expanding the underground space.

On the day the party first encountered the dwarf Zaonic, Harley was able to hear the detailed story of how he was able to survive in such a dangerous place.

Just like they did now, they dug into the ground, hid in an instant, and activated a barrier, and in that story, that was the object that was active along with the barrier magic tool.

‘At that time, I thought it was just like that and moved on.’

However, the moment he saw the pickaxe that Zaonic took out from his subspace, he realized it right away.

That… that tool filled with the soul and sweat of the Dwarven Zaonic Steelstone is a medium that can become a sacrifice for “customization”!

‘I thought only symbolic items, such as branches of the World Tree, could be used, but it turns out that such personal belongings can also be used. … If this happens, it’s a change of plan.’

At first, I was going to hide the group in a safe place and deal with the monster above by myself… but

I changed my mind.

‘I need to get my hands on that.’

When will an opportunity like this come again?

I had to get these things in advance while I could.

But the greedy look in his eyes was so blatant that Zaonic, who was swinging a pickaxe to expand the space, turned his head and made eye contact with him.

“…Do you have anything to say?”

“Ah—it just seems like a great pickaxe, so I caught my eye without realizing it. I’m quite good at digging, but I can’t believe I dug a hole this deep in just a few minutes. “Because it’s amazing!”

Zaonic’s slightly wary face relaxed at Harley’s sincere praise.

It is natural to be happy that the work you put so much effort into has been praised.

“Oh, you really have great eyes! “He looks more like a warrior than anyone else, but I recognized a tool that wasn’t even a weapon!”

That’s what I thought…actually, it wasn’t that bad.

“Everyone often admires only cool weapons, but I believe that in order for a craftsman to demonstrate his best skills, he must also have the best equipment. That’s why all the hammers and anvils in my blacksmith shop are made with great care. “I only brought ‘Eline’ with me here…”

Harley’s praise seemed to have touched a switch in him, and he continued raving about the pickaxe ‘Eline’ for a long time.

A pickaxe that was reborn as a magic tool by combining all kinds of precious rare metals, pounding and pounding for days and days, and finally incorporating the dwarf’s secret spirit, the ‘craftsman’s soul’.

This tool, full of earth properties, can penetrate any solid ground like tofu.

It is fully equipped with auxiliary functions for the user, such as increasing work speed, reducing vibration and noise, and supporting stamina.

It could truly be said to be a new weapon in the pickaxe world.

“When I create my best work, I mine and use even a single piece of iron ore myself! The quality of ore varies depending on how it is mined, and it can better accept the breath of the craftsman…”

Jaonic, who was emphasizing Eline’s greatness as if she were boasting about her lover, then went on to tell the story of her birth. went.

From settling in the County of Aonia to properly utilize the abundant rare minerals in the northern mountains, to the need for a pickaxe to ensure stable mining in dangerous places.

“I made it when I was a former lord and am still using it, so it’s already been over 20 years since we’ve been together! In the meantime, we have explored the mountains together with this child and overcome countless difficulties. “It’s my first time experiencing something as large-scale as this one, but…”

However, Zaonic grabbed the pickaxe with firm determination, saying that he and Elinne would be able to overcome this time together.

‘Indeed… that’s right.’

That pickaxe was not simply something he made with passion.

It was an item that was nothing short of the 20 years of history of Zaonic, who had been working with him for a long time even after it was born in his hands.

Harley, who had been quietly listening to his impassioned speech, followed his proud gaze and shifted her gaze to Eline.

However, unlike Zaonic’s affectionate gaze, those eyes were extremely dark…

Chureup—

‘Ah, my lips keep getting dry.’

The sight of a muscular giant with a naked body covered in tattoos licking his lips with sinister eyes was enough to make him speechless even if he was arrested for attempted crime, but fortunately, no one noticed because everyone was busy with their own business.

For a moment, we all held our breath and took a break amidst the tension.

“uh?”

“The monster…”

A change occurred in the monster that finished eating above.

He must have been completely satisfied because he just lay down.

“What do we do? “Are you going to surprise him when he’s off guard?”

“How about we dig a tunnel and get out of here?”

Either way, it wasn’t a very good idea.

Not only was the barrier not movable, but he would see right through them and attack them the moment they left it.

“I’m not going to stay here forever. What about waiting until he leaves somewhere else?”

“How many monster corpses do you think are lying around up there? “Why would he sit here?”

Of course, considering its size, it was clear that it would not be able to survive for long even with that amount.

But time was not on their side…

“As time passes, people stronger than that guy will appear.”

It is impossible to see that the situation will get better just by waiting.

Rather, there is a greater possibility that the situation will worsen.

But while everyone was in agony, Harley had other thoughts.

‘It’s your chance!’

The only one who had the ability to overcome this situation was himself.

Maybe if we put our heads together we might come up with a good solution, but at least not right away.

That means….

“Hmmmm! “I have a good idea.”

Doesn’t this mean that you can make the situation go the way you want?

“In the end, the problem is that the guy up there is sitting here, so wouldn’t it be solved if we could lure him somewhere far away?”

“I guess so. The question is how to do that.”

“I will come forward myself.”

Harley smiled confidently, spread her shoulders, and stepped forward.

“It’s moving speed isn’t that fast. “It’s as simple as if I provoke him, drag him in the opposite direction of where we need to go, and hide!”

“…Harley, you yourself? “It seems like that monster’s detection range is unusual. Can you beat it?”

“Pahaha! do not worry. “If I were alone, I could easily fool that guy’s attention!”

The group who had been with him and observed his extraordinary activities nodded without much disagreement to his words.

“If you’re sure…”

“Is that okay? It would be better for everyone to fight together…”

When the opinions of the party were divided between the idea of passing the risk to just one person and whether it was possible.

Taking advantage of that opportunity, Harley continued speaking.

“Hmm, but it’s true that no matter how much I do, I’m too anxious to completely run away from him. So, I’d like to get a little help…”

And then his subtle gaze fell on Zaonic.

To be exact, it was to the pickaxe ‘Eline’ he was holding in his hand.

Gulp—

He carefully swallowed the saliva gathering in his mouth and spoke politely to Zaonic without showing any signs of it.

“If you have the digging ability of that extraordinary pickaxe you made, Zaonic, it would be very helpful in completing the job safely!”

“Uh…huh?! “Eline…?”

As all eyes around him were focused on him, Zaonic, sensing something uneasy, was startled and hugged the pickaxe in his arms.

Harley appealed even more strongly to the sight of anyone not wanting to give it to him.

He said that with that help, he would be able to complete his mission safely and then everyone would be able to get out of this mountain range safely.

‘So give me that!’

Zaonic broke into a cold sweat at the look in his eyes filled with strong will and secretly averted his gaze.

“Sir…the size won’t fit?”

As a dwarf, his height does not even reach Harley’s waist, so a pickaxe tailored to his height would be nothing more than a hoe to Harley.

But Harley shook her head resolutely.

“no! If Elin was the strongest pickaxe on the continent, such a problem would be nothing. “Don’t you think so?”

“Oh, of course! Ha, but…”

But Jaonic knew well that there was nothing he could do.

Harley, who voluntarily takes risks for everyone, says it is necessary for safety, so how can you refuse?

Although it is a tool that has been cherished for a long time, equipment is just equipment.

Even if you have invested in all kinds of valuable materials and maintained them consistently, equipment is essentially a consumable item.

And it’s not even the blacksmith’s hammer, the most precious treasure…

‘No, not this! I’m sorry, Elline… I didn’t mean to discriminate. Everyone is precious to me.’

Zaonic, who was confused for a moment, had no choice but to close his eyes tightly and hold out the pickaxe to Harley with trembling hands.

“Well… it’s okay if it’s a little broken, so just give it back to me and I’ll return and repay you with a better weapon.”

“hmm! I will try my best. But since I don’t know what will happen in the future, I can’t give you a definite answer!”

In general terms, he was heading to a place that was no different from a dead body…

Naturally, it could be damaged or lost during the battle.

“…no. I said something pointless. No matter how precious the equipment is, your life is more precious. When times get tough, don’t overdo it and it’s okay to give up…it’s okay… “Sigh!”

Harley took the pickaxe, but Zaonic looked at it with a sad expression and did not let go of his hand.

For some reason, he also feels an uneasy feeling.

This will be their last meeting and what awaits them is only eternal separation.

Harley waited with a generous heart at first, but as the time gradually became longer, he strengthened the arm holding the pickaxe and slowly lifted it.

A zaonic that hangs and floats.

When I shake it left and right, it swings back and forth like a pendulum.

He shook his head –

but he couldn’t keep doing that forever, so he soon gave up, lost his grip and fell to the floor.

The expression on his face as he looked blankly at the pickaxe that had fallen into Harley’s hand was as if he had lost his lover, which made me feel uncomfortable.

I guess you could say I feel like a bad guy.

‘No, he’s a bad guy. ‘I have no intention of giving this back.’

Seeing him so heartbroken made me feel guilty again, but I tried my best to pretend not to notice and hung the pickaxe on the belt at my side.

‘Instead of sorry, you saved my life, right? ‘If it weren’t for me, they would all have died anyway, so let’s just get over it.’

When I saw Zaonic’s pitiful appearance, the madness that had been sleeping suddenly rose up like wildfire, but I suppressed it this time desperately.

‘No matter what, it’s not right to lick the pickaxe in front of me and look down at it with laughter!’

Perhaps it was due to the influence of ‘madness’, but it was a crazy impulse that was different from before, but if he crossed the line that far, the heroic appearance he had shown so far would be completely swept away.

Yes, that should be done in a place where no one is watching.

Anyway, that wasn’t what mattered now.

The important thing was that as various events unfolded, the karma points had already accumulated enough to create a new avatar.

‘Very good. ‘Then what should we name it?’

In the end, it was in his hands.

Eline…no.

Dwarf.